Chapter 17
Jackson turned up the the hospital some time later, plan firmly in place. Adam cornered him, demanding answers.
"I thought you were sorting things?"
"Ssh, Just keep your voice down will you. His brother's over there. Everything is sorted we just need to convince him to go home."
"What have you planned Jackson?"
"Let's just say Karma is a bitch." Jackson smirked
"He won't go home though! How are we supposed to get him home?"
"Why do you think I'm here? Me coming in to see Aaron is going to piss him off no end. He won't try anything while we are here. I do need your help in this though."
"Anything. Anything to get that psycho away from best mate."
"Convince his brother he needs to go home. He might listen to him. I'll come find you in a bit."
"Where are you going?"
"Do what I came here to do. Go and see Aaron."
"He's in there Jackson!"
"Even better!" Jackson smirked, heading for Aaron's room. He peered through the window to see Chas and Ed at Aaron's side. Aaron was asleep. He knocked on the door and tentivley entered. Ed immediatley was on his feet charging for Jackson
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"I've come to see how Aaron's getting on."
"Well, you've seen. He's going to be ok. No thanks to some sick lowlife. You can go now."
"I'm sorry I ain't going anywhere."
"You wanna say that again?" Ed hissed
"Ed! Stop it!" Chas raged
"No! I am not having this slimeball anywhere near Aaron! Do you really think Aaron wants you here?"
"I can answer for myself, Ed." Aaron groaned, having been woken up by the shouting. "Give us five minutes? Please?"
Ed sighed and stormed out of the room, almost walking into his brother. Chas smiled at Jackson and followed, leaving them both alone.
"How you doing?" Jackson smiled
"I'm sore. Is it supposed to hurt this much?"
"Yeah mate. They really hurt you. You're so lucky you know."
Aaron nodded "Jackson can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did you do it to me? I mean ok I'm to blame for it, for what I tried to do to Mickey. I thought we were really going to be ok. I slogged my guts out making things up to you and all the time you were...Was it always in my bed Jackson?"
"No..I just...Aaron I don't know why I did it to you. I'll never know why. I'd never cheated with anyone and I know I was mad to do it."
"I really thought you loved me."
"You know something? Aaron, I still do. I know I should have ended it and I know that no matter what I say will make up for or justify what I did in anyway. I was a fool to blow things with you. "
"I'm done fighting with you Jackson. I'm done with the snide little remarks. I've had too much of that lately and I don't have the strength to do it anymore."
"What do you mean Aaron?"
"I'm fed up with everything mate. I'm fed up with being knocked about and patronised and belittled infront of people. I've had enough of being the worthless peice of shit that I am."
"Now you listen to me. You are NOT worthless. You're amazing, You're funny, What I wouldn't give to have you back. I know that's never going to happen."
"I still really care about you. I've never got over you. I guess that's why I went for the first bloke that looked at me. To try and forget you. Look how that turned out."
"Aaron...Are you saying that...Did Ed do this to you?"
"Just go, Jackson."
"No! Not until you tell me the truth!"
"I can't, ok? Just get out." Aaron sobbed
Jackson admitted defeat and nodded "Ok. I'll go. But if you need anyone..."
Aaron slowly nodded as the tears continued to fall.
Jackson left the room and saw Ed talking to his brother
"What's going on? Is it about Aaron?"
"No. I'm trying to get Jai..sorry..Dr. Roberts, to convince Ed to go home. He's starting to stink and he looks exhausted."
"What did you and Aaron talk about love?" Chas asked
"Just chatted really. Nothing in particular. Look, I know I was a fool what I did to Aaron and I -..."
"Don't, Jackson. Just don't go there. Not now." Chas sighed.
"Adam..Can I borrow you a minute?" Jackson asked
"Yeah. What's up?"
"Not here." Jackson whispered.
Adam followed Jackson into the relative's room. "I need you to do something for me. I need you to nip to the loo, and send me a text or call me or something. Then I can pretend I have to take a phonecall and go outside. I'll watch for Ed leaving, and then you leave the rest to me. I'll come back in once Ed has gone and tell you what's happening."
"Jackson this is all very suspicious..."
"Yeah it is. and It took a lot to plan it. We need to get this right. If we fuck up..."
"We won't. I'll go now."
"Dont hang around waiting for a reply, just send it, give a cupole of minutes and then come back. Don't tell Chas where you are going. I don't want her to catch on to what we are doing."
Adam nodded and left the relatives room and headed in the direction of the toilets. Jackson went back to Chas and sat down. "Wow he needs a lot of convincing, doesn't he?" Jackson laughed
"Tell me about it."
Just as Ed started to approach them, Jackson got the all important text from Adam. He made his excuses and headed outside and smiled to himself. All he needed now was for Ed to leave.
"Everything ok Ed?" Chas asked
"Yeah. Look Maybe you are right. Maybe I should go home for a bit. I'm knackered. Could do with a shower too."
"Look Ed, No-one's asking you to stay away for ages. We're just worried. How's Aaron going to feel if you make yourself ill and end off in here too?"
"Yeah I know, Jai just gave me the whole "keep yourself healthy" talk. I'll be back in a while ok?"
Adam had returned from the toilets, and smiled as he overheard the conversation "We'll call you if Aaron wants you or if anything changes, ok?" Adam smiled Ed nodded headed for the exit. He left the hospital and cursed as the rain lashed down. He was still only wearing the t-shirt he had on when he arrived. Finding no nearby taxis, Ed began trudging home.
Jackson jumped up as Ed left the building and pulled his phone back out of his pocket. He called the number he needed and when he heard it connect, he didn't say anything, apart from; "He's on his way. Get it sorted and don't fuck it up."